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PEARL ISSUE - n° 17 - 2019 - € 10
The Art of Sailing
Turquoise 77m Go
[ CREATIVE MINDS: DIXON YACHT DESIGN ]
CHANGING TIMES , CHANGING
MINDS by Mary Hegarty
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Conscious of the industry’s turning tides, Bill Dixon designed this spectacular 70-metre specifically to change motoryacht owners’ minds about sailing. It offers a whole new take on the classic sailing superyacht formula, effortlessly marrying motoryacht-style volumes and space, sublime comfort and lifestyle features with the added joy of sailing and closeness to the sea
“I
am not a fan of outrageous concepts which clearly bear no relation to the reality or feasibility of a waterborne vessel.” Coming from a family that has been involved in boat building since the 1740s, Bill Dixon takes a real world approach to developing his
designs, refusing to present anything new - however exciting - to potential owners until it is buildable and sailable as it was designed to be. In the course of a career begun in the 1980s, he has straddled both motor and sailing worlds but continues to push the boundaries of the industry. “I really believe our industry must innovate to remain relevant, especially as we are entering a time of great change in the way pleasure boats will be used in the future. The sailing superyacht market has been driven in a certain direction by a relatively small band of passionate clients,” says the English designer. “My overall vision is to create a new type of sailing yacht: to broaden the appeal of those yachts and change the formula. An efficient modern design with good sailing performance with minimal effort”. The latest incarnation of a
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[ CREATIVE MINDS ]
Topped by a futuristic DynaRig, the Dixon 70’s cool design, tinted glazing, dark boot stripe and strong lines exude both power and purity. The aft end of the yacht offers guests a sleek pool and sun loungers as well as fold-out water-skimming platform for easy sea access. Opposite page, below, the beach club saloon delivers direct access to the aft end of the yacht
concept Dixon has been developing for a number of years,
“Maltese Falcon has proven it is perfect for transocean
the striking Dixon 70 concept embodies that philosophy
cruising under sail.” The result is that the 70 promises
to perfection. An ultra-clean design with a reverse bow
clients with a motoryacht background the all-important
hull topped by a futuristic two-masted DynaRig, its pale
volume, space, comfort and lifestyle of the latter with the
livery is broken by bands of tinted glazing and a dark
added exhilaration of stress-free sailing and closeness to
boot stripe that combine with strong main lines to exude
the water. In other words, it achieves the tricky feat of
both purity and power. “My concept is all about creating a
delivering the uncompromising best of both worlds. With
large sailing superyacht that strikes a different balance of
this in mind, the owners and guest cabins are all on the
volume, comfort and lifestyle, space more akin to a motor
main deck with the master full width. The crew cabins are
yacht,” continues Dixon. Although sailing superyachts
separate and forward with private access. The beach club
are now larger than they have ever been, they are still
saloon delivers direct access to the aft end of the yacht
normally offered with just a choice of sloop or ketch rig
and, of course, the sea, while second upper deck lounge
scaled to their length and displacement. In the case of this
opens onto a covered deck space aft. The upper deck has
70-metre that would have resulted in a towering ketch rig,
full height bulwarks enclosing a large side deck that can
with the enormous loads in the sail controls and on the
be circumnavigated all at one level. This efficient three-
vessel. Although advances in technology would allow such
deck arrangement also creates space on the lower deck for
a yacht to be handled, it would also need an experienced
a spa, gym and cinema. There is even enclosed stowage
crew to be safely sailed to its full potential. This kind of
for two limo tenders.
compromise did not chime with Dixon’s philosophy as
The Dixon 70 concept has been seen by potential owners
although undoubtedly powerful, the Dixon 70 is essentially
who have been extremely positive about it. The English
designed for cruising and to tempt sailing-shy motoryacht
designer is confident of the right match to make this
owners. “I chose the DynaRig because its biggest asset
paradigm-changer a reality: “It is a case of finding an
is its simplicity of control and the safety aspects of
owner that shares my vision that we don’t have to accept
how the sailing loads are dealt with,” explains Dixon.
the status quo in sailing yacht design.”
70
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[ CREATIVE MINDS ]
Above, the Dixon 70’s striking and efficient DynaRig. Below, left, the upper deck complete with Jacuzzi and sunning area. Below, right, Bill Dixon
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